WATERLOO – The Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems will be officially launched with a series of events beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 14 at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, room 142.

The Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems brings together researchers from a variety of disciplines to study sustainable food systems, and to increase opportunities for more sustainable food systems by disseminating their knowledge through local, national and global networks. www.wlu.ca/research/food

The opening event will begin with a panel discussion on sustainable food systems from 4–5:30 p.m. Panellists include a mix of researchers and community members who are experts on a range of food sustainability topics:

Simon Dalby, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change, (Balsillie School of International Affairs/Wilfrid Laurier University)

Karen Landman, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph

Theresa Schumilas, PhD student, operator of the Garden Party Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and Food Club in Waterloo, and expert on local food policy

Av Singh, expert on organic agriculture and inaugural holder of the JustUs! Chair in Small Farm Sustainability at the Centre for Small Farms in Nova Scotia

Randy Whittaker, a graduate of the University of Guelph and general manager of the Ontario Natural Food Co-op

A reception celebrating the launch of the Centre will be held from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., followed by keynote speaker, Bryan Gilvesy, recipient of the Ontario Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence in Small Business and the Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award. Gilvesy is the owner of the Yu Ranch and eastern Canada lead for community-developed, farmer-delivered Alternative Land Use Services.

Admission is free, but space is limited and registration is requested by clicking here.

Both the panel and the keynote are still accepting registrations, and while the reception is full, there is a waitlist.